Volga-Dnepr Airlines Initiates Lawsuit Against Canada Over Sanctions Impact on An-124 Freighter

Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Airlines has filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government challenging sanctions imposed on the airline, a move that could determine the fate of one of its An-124-100 freighters. The aircraft, RA-82078, was detained at Toronto Pearson Airport in February 2022 amid Western sanctions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Volga-Dnepr Airlines argues that the sanctions were mistakenly applied, as the carrier was not involved in the invasion, and has requested a federal court to declare Canada’s sanctions invalid.

Key Points:

1. Lawsuit Against Canada: Volga-Dnepr Airlines has taken legal action against the Canadian government, contesting the sanctions imposed on the airline. The lawsuit addresses the detention of An-124-100 freighter RA-82078, which has remained grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport since February 2022.
2. Sanctions Impact: The An-124-100 was detained as part of sanctions imposed by Canada, along with other Western countries, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Volga-Dnepr Airlines asserts that it was included in the sanctions list in error, as the carrier was not involved in the invasion.
3. Request for Declaration: In November, the Russian cargo carrier formally requested a federal court to declare Canada’s sanctions against it invalid. Volga-Dnepr Airlines contends that the 29-year-old freighter is suffering damage, and the prolonged detention has led to accumulating airport parking fees.
4. Formal Notice to Canada: In August 2023, Volga-Dnepr Airlines sent a formal notice to the Canadian government, demanding the return of the An-124. The carrier warned of international arbitration if the matter was not resolved within a specified timeframe.
5. Ownership Changes: Volga-Dnepr Group founder Alexei Isaikin ceded control of the company to other executives in October 2022 to assist the Western companies within the group. Despite these changes, reports suggest that Isaikin still maintains control of the group, which includes AirBridgeCargo and Atran.
6. Fleet Status: The An-124-100 in question is one of nine aircraft of this type owned by Volga-Dnepr Airlines. Currently inactive, the carrier operates one active An-124-100-150 and five active Il-76TD-90VDs, according to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module.

The lawsuit marks a significant legal challenge as Volga-Dnepr Airlines seeks to address the impact of sanctions on its operations, emphasizing its non-involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The outcome of the legal proceedings may influence the fate of the detained An-124 freighter and set a precedent for similar cases involving sanctioned entities.